Electrical and Electronics Engineering Technologists and Technicians

(NOC 2241)

in All Engineering, Math, Science, and Information Technology

Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians may work independently or provide technical support and services in the design, development, testing, production and operation of electrical and electronic equipment and systems. They work for electrical utilities, communications companies, manufacturers of electrical and electronic equipment, consulting firms, governments and in a wide range of manufacturing, processing, and transportation industries.

Job Outlook

Good

Read more

  • Estimate Moderate growth employment change, 2021-2023
  • Estimate 165 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate Moderate rate of unemployment in 2022

Compared to: All Engineering, Math, Science, and Information Technology

  • Estimate 3410 employment change, 2021-2023
  • Estimate 5690 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate rate of unemployment not available for these occupation.

There is a fairly broad base of employers for this occupation, many of whom are involved with specialized technologies. The Canadian Forces on occassion recruit for those with electronics backgrounds. Job seekers with specific training and experience will have the best chance of finding work. The specialized nature of work can limit opportunities for some, while at the same time it can make it difficult for employers to find people with the right skills and experience.

Hourly Pay

$17.00

Minimum

$37.59

Median

$48.08

Maximum

Annual Pay

$14,910

Minimum

$62,054

Median

$97,293

Maximum

Compared to: All Engineering, Math, Science, and Information Technology

Hourly Pay

$18.00

Minimum

$34.90

Median

$54.10

Maximum

Annual Pay

$13,568

Minimum

$60,422

Median

$107,009

Maximum

About the job

Nature of work

Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians may work independently or provide technical support and services in the design, development, testing, production and operation of electrical and electronic equipment and systems. They work for electrical utilities, communications companies, manufacturers of electrical and electronic equipment, consulting firms, governments and in a wide range of manufacturing, processing, and transportation industries.

Job duties

Electrical and electronics engineering technologists:

  • Design, develop and test power equipment and systems, industrial process control systems, telecommunication, broadcast, recording and audiovisual systems, micro-electronic systems and circuits, computers, computer systems and networks, and computer software.
  • Supervise the building and testing of prototypes according to general instructions and established standards.
  • Conduct or supervise the installation, commissioning, and operation of electrical and electronic equipment and systems other than aircraft electronics or instruments.
  • Carry out applied research in fields of electrical and electronic engineering and physics under the direction of scientists or engineers.
  • Set up and use specialized and standard test equipment to diagnose, test and analyze the performance of electrical and electronic components, assemblies, and systems.
  • Write specifications, schedules, and technical reports and control schedules and budgets.

Electrical and electronics engineering technicians:

  • Help design, develop, and test electrical and electronic components, equipment, and systems.
  • Help inspect, test, adjust, and evaluate incoming electrical, electro-mechanical, and electronic components and assemblies to make sure they meet product specifications and tolerances.
  • Conduct life tests (burn-ins) on assemblies and record and analyze results.
  • Help build and test prototypes to specifications.
  • Carry out a limited range of technical functions in support of research in electrical and electronic engineering and physics.
  • Install, use, and maintain electrical and electronic equipment and systems.
  • Calibrate electrical or electronic equipment and instruments according to technical manuals and written instructions.
  • Collect and compile data and help prepare estimates, schedules, budgets, specifications, and reports.

Sample job titles

  • computer hardware technologist
  • electrical engineering technician
  • electrical engineering technologist
  • electrical power system technician
  • electronic equipment maintenance technician
  • electronic systems specialist
  • electronics engineering technician
  • electronics engineering technologist
  • medical laboratory equipment repairer
  • quality control technologist - electrical and electronics

Skills

  • You should be interested in technology and discovering how things work. Good mechanical skills, attention to detail, and patience are necessary. You must be able to work under pressure and be able to work with and cooperate with others as part of a team. Effective spoken and written communication skills are also important.

Job requirements

  • A two- or three-year college program in electrical or electronics engineering technology, computer engineering technology, telecommunications technology or an equivalent is usually required for electrical or electronics engineering technologists.
  • A one- or two-year college program in electrical or electronics engineering technology is usually required for electrical or electronics engineering technicians.
  • Certification in electrical or electronics engineering technology or in a related field is available through provincial associations of engineering/applied science technologists and technicians and may be required for some positions.
  • A period of supervised work experience, usually two years, is required before certification.

Other considerations

  • There is movement to other related fields like technical sales, electronics service technicians, instrument technicians and avionics technicians. Movement to managerial positions in engineering, production or operations is possible with experience.

By the numbers

Quick look

1,655

employed in 2016

94.9%

employed full-time

5.1%

self employed

7.6%
Icons/female Created with Sketch.
92.4%
Icons/male Created with Sketch.
44

median age

Compared to: All Engineering, Math, Science, and Information Technology

25,875

employed in 2016

91.5%

employed full-time

7.6%

self employed

20.0%
Icons/female Created with Sketch.
80%
Icons/male Created with Sketch.
42.8

median age

Where will I likely work?

62.3%

Halifax

$66,760 median annual income
13.0%

Annapolis Valley

$56,450 median annual income
9.0%

North Shore

$43,018 median annual income
8.4%

Cape Breton

$73,454 median annual income
7.2%

Southern

$60,083 median annual income

Compared to: All NS Occupations

47.0%

Halifax

15.6%

North Shore

12.9%

Annapolis Valley

12.7%

Cape Breton

11.8%

Southern

Top Industries of Employment

32.1%

Public administration

12.3%

Manufacturing

10.6%

Professional, scientific and technical services

8.2%

Construction

6.5%

Health care and social assistance

What is the age of Employment?

25.0%

45-54

21.0%

25-34

19.0%

55-64

18.0%

35-44

12.0%

15-24

5.0%

65+

Compared to: All Engineering, Math, Science, and Information Technology

24.2%

25-34

23.5%

45-54

23.4%

35-44

16.4%

55-64

7.7%

15-24

Top levels of education

57.1%

College Diploma

$63,913 median annual income
16.0%

Trade Certification

$57,747 median annual income
14.8%

High school

$52,920 median annual income
5.4%

Diploma Below Bachelor

$54,230 median annual income
5.1%

Bachelor

$57,228 median annual income

Compared to: All Engineering, Math, Science, and Information Technology

33.1%

College Diploma

$59,986 median annual income
29.8%

Bachelor

$63,965 median annual income
11.9%

High school

$45,835 median annual income
9.9%

Master

$65,105 median annual income
6.9%

Trade Certification

$57,773 median annual income

Education & training

Electrical, Electronic and Communications Engineering Technology/Technician

College or Trades Program

These programs prepare students to apply basic engineering principles and technical skills in support of electrical, electronics and communication engineers. They include courses in electrical circuitry, prototype development and testing; systems analysis and testing, systems maintenance, instrument calibration, and report preparation.

Institutions providing this program

Nova Scotia Community College

Various, NS

Electromechanical Technology/Electromechanical Engineering Technology

College or Trades Program

These programs prepare students to apply basic engineering principles and technical skills in support of engineers engaged in developing and testing automated, servomechanical, and other electromechanical systems. They include courses in prototype testing, manufacturing and operational testing, systems analysis and maintenance procedures, and report preparation.

Institutions providing this program

Nova Scotia Community College

Various, NS

Energy Management and Systems Technology/Technician

College or Trades Program

These programs prepare students to apply basic engineering principles and technical skills in support of engineers and other professionals engaged in developing energy-efficient systems or monitoring energy use. They include courses in principles of energy conservation, instrumentation calibration, monitoring systems and test procedures, energy loss inspection procedures, energy conservation techniques, and report preparation.

Institutions providing this program

Nova Scotia Community College

Various, NS

Engineering Technology - General

College or Trades Program

These programs prepare students to apply basic engineering principles and technical skills in support of engineers engaged in a wide variety of projects. They include courses in various engineering support functions for research, production, and operations, and applications to specific engineering specialties.

Institutions providing this program

Cape Breton University

Sydney, NS

Industrial Electronics Technician

College or Trades Program

These programs prepare students to apply technical knowledge and skills to assemble, install, operate, maintain, and repair electrical/electronic equipment used in industry and manufacturing. They include courses in installing, maintaining and testing various types of equipment.

There are no schools in Nova Scotia offering this program.

Information Technology

College, Trades, or University Program

These programs focus on the design of technological information systems, including computing systems, as solutions to business and research data and communications support needs. They include courses in the principles of computer hardware and software components, algorithms, databases, telecommunications, user tactics, application testing, and human interface design.

Institutions providing this program

Acadia University

Wolfville, NS

Dalhousie University

Halifax, NS

Nova Scotia Community College

Various, NS

Marine Sciences

College or University Program

These programs focus on the study of biology, chemistry, geology and physics applied to marine, estuarine and coastal environments. They include courses in marine biogeochemistry, atmosphere and ocean dynamics, coastal ecology, coastal ocean processes, microbial ecology, marine ecosystem modeling, and polar microbiology.

Institutions providing this program

Nova Scotia Community College

Various, NS

Employment requirements & contacts

Regulations

Engineering Technicians and Technologists

Right to Title: This job is regulated in Nova Scotia. The job title is protected, and you may not use it without a professional designation. Professional designation shows that the holder has met provincial standards for the job. Employers may require professional designation, but professional designation is not necessary to do this work.

Regulating body:
TechNova
Dartmouth, NS

Contacts

TechNova
Dartmouth, NS

Additional resources

There are no additional resources for this occupation.